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School board approves shared work-based learning position with county economic development
Summary
The Pocahontas Area Community School District board voted to contract with the Pocahontas County Economic Development Commission to share an employee who will coordinate employer placements, workforce outreach and grant pursuit for work-based learning; the district's share was discussed as a salary-line general-fund expense.
The Pocahontas Area Community School District board on June 1 approved a contract with the Pocahontas County Economic Development Commission to fund a shared work-based learning coordinator.
Representatives from the county economic development commission, including the individual identified in the packet and Executive Director Mary Joe Woodweiler, described the role as a bridge between the district’s work-based learning team and local employers. The contract assigns responsibilities including building an employer database, facilitating student placements, meeting monthly with employers to assess program effectiveness, seeking grants to support the program, and providing quarterly reports to the superintendent and an annual report to the board.
Board members said the partnership is intended to expand career and technical education (CTE) opportunities across agricultural, manufacturing and technical pathways. The district presentation noted the role will connect students to placements in areas such as dairy and engineering and that the work begun in March had already produced several placement leads.
After discussion about scope and funding, the board approved the contract by a motion from Sarah and a second from Dena. The motion carried. Administration indicated the contract expense would be recorded to the district general fund as a salary line.
Board members emphasized that the arrangement is meant to be cost-effective and complementary to existing CTE efforts, and that one successful grant award could offset the district’s share of the position. The board asked administration to share details of program outcomes as placements and grant awards develop.
The board voted to approve the contract and directed administration to continue coordination with the county economic development commission and to monitor placements and grant activity.
